Here, Robin Longbottom examines how a one-time popular attraction at fairs and galas was often fraught with dangers

THE highlight of many galas and fairs during the late 19th and early 20th centuries was the ascent of a gas-filled balloon from which acrobats performed on a trapeze hung below it, or leapt from it to descend by parachute.

However, the whole spectacle was often fraught with danger. The balloons were filled with town gas from a mains supply and newspapers of the day frequently reported “yet another balloon explosion”.

Fortunately there are no records of explosions in the Keighley area, however, adverse winds and sudden gusts were a problem and accidents did occur.

On Saturday, July 31, 1886, the Keighley Friendly Societies held their annual gala in Victoria Park.

The highlight of the day was to be the ascent of a huge scarlet and orange silk balloon under the direction of Signor Ballini and the performance of acrobatics from a trapeze by Mademoiselle de Vasco.

Unfortunately the gas supply was insufficient to completely inflate the balloon and the young lady refused to ascend.

Not wishing to disappoint the crowd, Signor Ballini – who was both elderly and lame – decided that he would take her place. However, a sudden gust of wind lifted the partially-filled balloon, together with the elderly man, and swept it off towards Stockbridge.

The balloon failed to gain height and dragged Signor Ballini through Aireworth Mill pond and crashed into its chimney.

Fortunately he managed to escape by clambering into a tree as the balloon passed over. Bruised and shaken, but otherwise unharmed, he was taken to the Shoulder of Mutton Inn at Thwaites to recover. The balloon was eventually found at Guiseley.

In June 1898, the Keighley Hospital Gala engaged Captain F Bidmead and his balloon, from which he was to leap and descend by parachute.

At a height of 3,000 feet he made his leap, but the cords of his parachute became entangled in the ropes of the balloon.

To the consternation of the crowd, both the balloon and Captain Bidmead disappeared into the clouds.

He later recalled that “after passing a second bank of clouds I got into sunshine. I rose to a height of what must have been three miles”.

The wind carried him in a south-easterly direction and 50 minutes later he was passing over Pontefract at a height of about 400 feet.

He slowly descended and after being dragged across a field and through a hedge landed safely at Stapleton Park, a few miles east of the town.

In 1906 Captain Bidmead returned to Keighley, this time to launch his balloon at the Haworth Gala.

He had given-up parachuting himself and had engaged a young lady, Miss Lily Cove, to take his place.

Aged 21, she was described as a “handsome young London lassie, of fine figure, medium height, and long blonde hair.” She had already made 21 successful parachute descents.

Although the ascent was to take place on Saturday, June 9, conditions were unfavourable and it was postponed until the Monday.

About mid afternoon Miss Cove made her ascent “clad in dainty velvet tights and pretty coloured blouse – and merrily waved her handkerchief at the mass of faces she left behind.”

Having risen to a height of 2,000 feet the wind then swept her towards Ponden Reservoir, where she successfully detached herself from the balloon to make her descent. As she descended, perhaps fearing that she was going to land in the reservoir and being unable to swim, she unfastened her harness and fell to her death.

The tragic events at Haworth led to questions of safety being raised in Parliament and the subsequent decline in popularity of such spectacles.